Details

Jazz at the Bechtler: Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers: A Night at Birdland Recording Vol. 1 and Vol. 2

LOCATION: BECHTLER MUSEUM OF MODERN ART

APRIL 7 AT 6 AND 8:15 PM

ART BLAKEY AND THE JAZZ MESSENGERS: A NIGHT AT BIRDLAND RECORDING VOL. 1 AND VOL. 2

In 1999, the Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz called The Jazz Messengers the "archetypal hard bop group of the late '50s". Friday, April 7, The Ziad Jazz Quartet, with help from trumpet player Justin Ray, recreates the electricity of one of the Messenger's most famous records: A Night at Birdland Recording Vol. 1 and Vol. 2.

One of the most quintessential jazz records ever produced, A Night at Birdland Recording Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, launched the career of Art Blakey and set a standard for modern jazz to follow for decades. Pianist Horace Silver, trumpeter Clifford Brown, and saxophonist Lou Donaldson all went from relative unknowns to future superstars with this record.

The evening's selections from this landmark record will include "A Night in Tunisia", "Split Kick", Wee Dot", "Quicksilver" and more.

Justin Ray has been a professional musician for almost 20 years. While attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston, he began to earn a reputation as a fiery and compelling trumpet soloist, comfortable in a wide variety of styles. After finishing his degree, Ray relocated to Los Angeles and quickly became one of the most in demand musicians in the region performing regularly with jazz legends like drummers Dave Weckl and Peter Erskine, vocalist Kurt Elling, pianists Bill Cunliffe, Alan Pasqua and a host of others.

In 2003, Ray accepted an offer from Warner Bros. recording artist Michael Bublé to join his group and since then has worked with the Grammy award winning vocalist as an instrumentalist, composer & arranger.

PERFORMANCE

Concerts are performed at 6 and 8:15 p.m. with no intermissions. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the 6 p.m. concert and 7:45 p.m. for the 8:15 p.m. concert. General seating is first come, first served. Enjoy light bites and a cash-only bar. Standing room only is available after all seats are claimed.

TICKETS

Tickets are $14 for the public and just $8 for museum members. Buy tickets online, over the phone at 704.353.9200 or at the admission desk.View the full 2016-'17 Jazz at the Bechtler lineup here.